Reflector for compass-boxes



(No Model.)

A. MITCHELL. I REFLECTOR POE COMPASS BOXES.

No. 566,011. Patented Aug. 4, 1896.

flit-est Jazzy UNITED STATES PATENT Fries.

ABRAM MITCHELL, OF SHELTER ISLAND, NE YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE HALF TOARTHUR S. FRENCH, OF BROOKLYN, NEXV YORK.

REFLEOTOR FOR COMPASS-BOXES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 565,01 1, dated August4, 1896.

Application filed March 16, 1896, Serial No. 583,275. No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that LABRAM Mrrcnnnna citizen of the United States,and aresident of Shelter lsland,in the county of Suifolk and State of NewYork,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Reflectors forCompass- Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to reflectors for use in compass-boxes, especiallyin such as are employed on shipboard, and are required to be lighted orilluminated, so that the compasscard may be distinctly seen at night.

The ordinary ships compass-box is illuminated from the exterior and isprovided with a lid which may be raised upon occasion, as when it isrequired to take cross-bearings, doc. a small aperture in the lidaffording a slight view of the card, sufficient to determine the courseof the ship. The lid and the small aperture are used, because the glareof the light in the box renders it impossible for the observer todiscern objects in the darkness for a few seconds after reading thecompass, and this, while at all times it is annoying and inconvenient,sometimes may lead to serious accident.

The object of my invention is to prevent the light within the box fromaffecting the sight of the observer, and to accomplish this theinvention involves the application of a reflector within thecompass-box, the same being calculated to direct all the light from thelamps down upon the compass-card, so that it maybe clearly seen, andallow no light to pass to the eye of the observer except such as isreflected from the card and therefore softened to such degree as toobviate all the disadvantageous effects above alluded to, enabling oneto dispense with the lid or cover entirely, if desired.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view, and Fig. 2 a sectionand plan view, of a compass-box having my improved reflector appliedtherein, this View being taken on line it a: of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is across-section.

In all the figures like letters of reference, wherever they occur,indicate corresponding parts.

A. represents the compass-box, which in the most ordinary form has ahinged lid, (represented at 13,) the same being supplied with anaperture, as c, and this having a suitable cover, as b.

0 represents the compass-card. This is illuminated at night by lamps DD, one on each side of the box, the light from the lamps enteringthrough openings through the walls of the box, all the light beingthrown therein.

Ordinarily the lid B remains closed, and the card is viewed throughaperture a, after opening the cover I) a very little, so as not to allowtoo much light to strike the eye; and even with this precaution theobserver finds it difficult to immediately discern objects at ter theobservation, and particularly upon a very dark night.

The hinged lid B is only opened when necessary to take cross-bearings onany object, but thisis frequently necessary, and at these times the fulllight from the lamps strikes the eyes, with corresponding injurious ordetrimental effects.

E is a reflector of any opaque substance which I employ to obviate thedisadvantages above referred to. It is located far enough above the cardC and at one side of its diameter so that the entire card may be viewedwithout diiiiculty from the exterior of the box, and it extends from.one side to the other between the openings which admit the light to thebox.

In the form shown in the drawings the reflector is in general tubularshape, the lower portion being open,as indicated. This throws all thelight from the lamps down upon the card and screens the eyes, so that nolight strikes the eyes, except such as is first reflected by the card.This particular form of reflector breaks up the light by numerousrefiections within itself, and thus renders it less glaring uponemerging through the opening in the lower part.

Of course the mere shape of the reflector might be changed, and its sizeand the size of the opening in the bottom will depend upon the size ofthe box and the power of the lamps.

With the improved reflector in place the lid may be kept entirely openall the time, as in Fig. 3, or may be omitted from the box altogether.

The improved appliance has been found in practice to answer all thepurposes of the in vention as previously set forth, and is, more over,simple and cheap, and may be easily applied to new boxes as well as toold ones.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new herein, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The oompass-box having an opening at top, perforations in its side Wallsand exterior side lamps applied on said Walls, the tubular reflectoropen along its lower portion, said reflector being mounted in the box,over the compass-card and at one side thereof, and

extending between the openings in the side walls of the box to receiveand direct the 1 light from the lamps, the parts named being arranged,constructed and combined, substantially as shown and for the purposesspecified.

Signed at New York, in the county and State of New York, this 11th dayof March,

